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As we ramp up ReinventingClassifieds.com, I’ve been asking people within my professional media contact network to share their views about the future of newspaper classifieds and solutions for resurrecting them. After covering and being involved in the new media world for a decade and a half, I know lots of very smart people.
Alas, so far nearly all of what I’ve heard back is pessimism. Industry experts who clearly understand the direction of media transformation seem not to think that newspaper classifieds can be saved. One of the smartest people I know commented to me: “I don’t have any idea how to turn around the newspaper classified business. I’ve never really understood why it has lasted as long as it has.” Ouch.
While my partner in this website, Christopher Ryan, and I have some ideas that we’ll present in the coming weeks, I’d still like to hear from some folks in the industry who take a less dark view. I know you’re out there. Shoot me an e-mail and tell me what you think. With permission I’ll post your thoughts and ideas here.
We’ve also got a succinct poll running on this site, asking for your overall outlook on the future of newspaper classifieds. Here are the results as of this date. (63 responses; you can still take the 5-second survey.)
How do you feel about the future of newspaper classifieds?
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